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141 People Dead After Bridge Collapses In India
Estimated 400 people fell into Machchu river, with 141 already confirmed dead after newly renovated bridge collapsed in India.
The incident occured on Sunday at Morbi in Gujarat state of India.
According to Aljazeera Television, 141 people have been confirmed dead.
Some residents said the death toll may still rise.
BBC report indicated that many are still missing while search team intensified efforts.
“At least 141 people died when a pedestrian suspension bridge collapsed in India’s western state of Gujarat.
“A local official said most of those who had died were women, children or elderly. The bridge in Morbi had been reopened just a week ago after repairs.
“There was overcrowding on the bridge at the time as people celebrated the Diwali festival, officials said.
“The 230 metres, (754 feet) bridge on the Machchu river was built during British rule in the 19th Century.
“The death toll is expected to rise further”, BBC reports.
It was gathered that over 177 persons have been rescued.
Dead victims mostly children and women were said to be enjoying holiday during the Diwali festival celebration when the suspension bridge collapsed night fall around 18:40 India time, (13:10 GMT) on Sunday.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has announced compensation for the families of the accident victims in Gujarat, his home state.
Videos posted online showed hundreds of persons clinged and fell onto the wreckage as emergency teams attempted to rescue them.
Some survivors successfully clinged and clambered up the bridge’s broken netting, while others managed to swim to the river banks.
A CCTV video made available online shows that, before the collapse, the suspension bridge was packed with people who were swaying, with many gripping or holding firmly the netting on its sides.
